Finding fun but easy activities to do at home can be challenging. But crafts can help keep you entertained, stimulated and can enhance your cognitive abilities. Activities such as knitting and pottery can decrease your chances for cognitive decline, and quilting or photography can improve your memory. Most of all, crafts are a fun way to spend a summer day! With a myriad of options to stay relaxed and engaged, the long list of health benefits is just icing on the cake. Please browse through our list of recommendations for your next activity!
The next time you go on a walk, pick some of your favorite flowers or leaves and bring them home with you. Arrange them between two pieces of wax paper and rest a heavy book or object on top of them overnight. The next day the flowers will be completely flat, leaving a beautiful picture on the paper. The dried flower will look stunning as bookmarks or laminated for beautiful wall art.
Making greeting cards is a great way to keep up with loved ones and share your creativity with them. You could use your pressed flower creations, stickers, ribbons, cloth, colored paper, or paints to make an inventive greeting card to send to your loved ones.
Coloring isn’t just for kids! There is a wide range of coloring books available today, with many different themes from which to pick. Coloring can be a great way to relax and create something beautiful. Browse online or at your favorite craft stores to find a coloring book you’ll love.
Large Print Coloring Book Flowers: Easy Illustration
Coloring Books for Seniors: Anti-Stress Designs
Painting rocks lets your creativity run wild. Pick a theme and do several, or get more detailed to create a beloved keepsake. These look great in gardens and can add vibrancy to your home. All ages love this activity, and it’s a lovely way to spend time with the grandkids! Check out this website for over 100 different simple but cute ideas!
Scrapbooking is not only a creative outlet, it also allows you to look back through some of your favorite memories. Many drug stores help you print out photos if you have new ones. They also have a wide range of scrapbooks to choose from—spice up the pages with fun stickers or personal handwriting. You and your loved ones are sure to enjoy reminiscing with your finished scrapbook.
Sewing, knitting, and crocheting are fantastic crafts that require minimal materials. You may already have many tools on hand, and it can all be done from your favorite spot on the couch! Some simple ideas are pillowcases, dishcloths, throw pillows, or coffee cozys.
If you want to get into some new crafts but don’t know how to start, YouTube is a fantastic resource for How-To videos. You can search for videos that pique your interest and then work along with them, pausing whenever you need to. Here are a few to get started.
Easy Waterfall Landscape Painting Tutorial For Beginners
Simple Galaxy Painting Demo for Beginners
How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners
Crafts are a great way to occupy your time and keep you entertained throughout the day, especially with the hot summer months quickly approaching. These recommendations are great solo activities but are also enjoyed with grandkids, friends, and loved ones.
For more recommendations and ideas, check out these resources:
Crafts for Seniors: 52 Fun and Simple Ideas That Inspire